Lipases are able to catalyse the hydrolysis of glyceridic esters in aqueous media and the synthesis of esters in non-aqueous media. They are thus able to catalyse numerous reactions of industrial interest ... [more ▼]

Lipases are able to catalyse the hydrolysis of glyceridic esters in aqueous media and the synthesis of esters in non-aqueous media. They are thus able to catalyse numerous reactions of industrial interest. Whether it is by inclusion, by adsorption or by covalent link, the immobilisation of lipases aims at conferring them a good stability that enables a reuse of the enzymes after a reaction and the development of continuous processes. The reactions of triglycerides hydrolysis constitute main applications for immobilised lipases, however their use in different types of esterification reactions has also arose: there exist processes involving reactions of transesterification, of interesterification or of esters synthesis. The production of structured lipids by interesterification is one example. Although the reaction conditions dissent from those of hydrolysis, the same lipases have been used in both cases. A lipase specifically adapted for esterification though would be a highly capable tool: a series of strategies is in progress in order to reach this goal. [less ▲]

in International Journal of Cancer = Journal International du Cancer (1993), 53(5), 872-9

Ten immortalized cell lines were established by transfection of human cervical keratinocytes (CK) with HPV-33 DNA and some of their characteristics were investigated. The following observations were made ... [more ▼]

Ten immortalized cell lines were established by transfection of human cervical keratinocytes (CK) with HPV-33 DNA and some of their characteristics were investigated. The following observations were made: (a) several cell lines have reached over 100 population doublings in vitro; (b) 3 transcripts were observed, 2 being encoded by the E6/E7 open reading frames (ORFs); (c) cytogenetic analyses showed important genetic modifications such as aneuploidy and isochromosome formation of the q arm of chromosome 8; (d) 2 of the 10 cell lines developed colonies in soft agar but none was able to form tumors when injected s.c. into nude mice; (e) Southern analysis suggested that a single copy of HPV-33 is integrated at a single common site within the genome of the 10 cell lines. These immortalized cell lines should be useful for studying mechanisms involved in proliferation, differentiation and neoplastic transformation of CK by HPV-33. [less ▲]

As the inbred mouse strain SJL/J displays increased resistance to several pathogens and as its immune system shows multiple specificities, it is tempting to infer a causal link between these observations ... [more ▼]

As the inbred mouse strain SJL/J displays increased resistance to several pathogens and as its immune system shows multiple specificities, it is tempting to infer a causal link between these observations. The first question that comes to mind is whether adaptive immunity plays a role, and a way to answer this question is to see if the resistance phenotype persists when adaptive immunity is depressed. Although it has long been known that irradiation causes repression of leukopoiesis in mice, the technical data available in the literature are of no help in the case of strain SJL/J, because it displays exceptional radioresistance. Here we show that exposure of SJL/J to ∼9Gy, an intensity corresponding to the lethal dose 50 for the species Mus musculus, leads to serious but reversible alteration of leukopoiesis. This conclusion stems from an examination of the effects, 1-11 days post-exposure, of whole-body gamma-ray irradiation on leukocyte populations in the thymus and peripheral blood of young adult females. Immunodepression was most severe 4 days post-exposure. As in other strains, leukocyte populations displayed differential radiosensitivity, B (CD19(+)) cells being most sensitive, T (CD4(+)/CD8(+)) cells moderately sensitive, and natural killer (NK1.1(+)) cells most resistant. Surprisingly, however, the helper/inducer T lymphocytes proved more resistant than the cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes, contrarily to what is observed in other strains. The procedure described will make it possible to refute or establish reliably the existence of causal links between SJL-specific phenotypic traits and immune aberrations and to elucidate further the respective roles of innate and acquired immunity in determining the resistance of this strain to an array of viral diseases. [less ▲]

The cellular and humoral responses as well as the antigen recognition during the acute stage of a Neospora caninum (NC) infection were investigated in non-pregnant ewes. The experimentally infected ewes ... [more ▼]

The cellular and humoral responses as well as the antigen recognition during the acute stage of a Neospora caninum (NC) infection were investigated in non-pregnant ewes. The experimentally infected ewes developed specific lymphoproliferative and humoral responses within 2 weeks post-infection (PI). The magnitude of the cellular response showed large variations between animals. A significant decrease in the proliferative response to Con A mitogen and N. caninum, Toxoplasma gondii (TG) antigens was recorded on day 21 post-infection (PI). The humoral response and the pattern of antigen recognition were similar among infected ewes. Proteins of 44, 42, 40, 39 and 28 kDa were intensively recognized by the infected animals during the experiment. The 42 and 28 kDa antigens should be considered as useful for the diagnostic of N. caninum infection, as the intensity of recognition infection of the other antigens had decreased markedly 8 weeks post-infection. For some antigens a sequential recognition was recorded. The 59, 54 and 38-37 kDa proteins were frequently recognized by infected sera during the first weeks of the infection, but recognition of these antigens was absent or rare at the end of the experiment. These antigens could be related to the acute stage of the infection. [less ▲]

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the sixth most common cancer in the world. Despite significant advances in the treatment modalities involving surgery, radiotherapy, and concomitant ... [more ▼]

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the sixth most common cancer in the world. Despite significant advances in the treatment modalities involving surgery, radiotherapy, and concomitant chemoradiotherapy, the 5-year survival rate remained below 50% for the past 30 years. The worse prognosis of these cancers must certainly be link to the fact that HNSCCs strongly influence the host immune system. We present a critical review of our understanding of the HNSCC escape to the antitumor immune response such as a downregulation of HLA class I and/or components of APM. Antitumor responses of HNSCC patients are compromised in the presence of functional defects or apoptosis of T-cells, both circulating and tumor-infiltrating. Langerhans cells are increased in the first steps of the carcinogenesis but decreased in invasive carcinomas. The accumulation of macrophages in the peritumoral areas seems to play a protumoral role by secreting VEGF and stimulating the neoangiogenesis. [less ▲]

In this review we aim to provide a historical overview of the immunotherapeutic approaches which have been developed for the treatment of hematological malignancies. After briefly summarizing the ... [more ▼]

In this review we aim to provide a historical overview of the immunotherapeutic approaches which have been developed for the treatment of hematological malignancies. After briefly summarizing the development of the theory of cancer immune surveillance, we describe how initial studies discovering the efficacy of the immune-mediated graft-versus-tumor effects after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation led to new transplantation approaches (termed non-myeloablative transplantation) relying almost exclusively on graft-versus-tumor effects for tumor eradication. We then summarize important steps in the development of tumor vaccines and autologous adoptive immunotherapy in patients with hematological malignancies. Finally, we describe historical discoveries leading to the recent success with monoclonal antibodies as treatment for lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia. [less ▲]